The Veteran's service connection claim for esophagus cancer and its associated conditions is granted due to the credible reports of his symptoms since service, which have been linked by competent medical evidence to his current diagnosis.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's reported progression from heartburn in service to Barrett's Syndrome and eventually esophageal cancer was supported by a March 2016 opinion linking chronic heartburn and Barrett's Esophagus as risk factors for developing esophageal cancer.
- Claimed conditions
- esophagus cancer, hiatal hernia, stomach ablation, Barrett's Syndrome, acid reflux
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 8, 2016
- Citation
- 1614357
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1614357.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's deviated nasal septum was granted service connection. The claims for anxiety and sleep disturbance, erectile dysfunction, headaches, acid reflux, hypertension (high blood pressure), irritable bowel syndrome, and jaw condition were denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate development of her exposure history and lack of adequate medical opinions. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU rating is granted with an effective date of March 15, 2017.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's initial disability rating for migraine headaches has been granted at 50 percent. The issue of service connection for hiatal hernia and esophagitis, related to PTSD, is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.
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